GSM remote warning devices

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DownWest

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We need to monitor the bilge level on a wooden boat. It recently sank after both seperate bilge pump systems failed. While there are plans to sort the seepage, some sort of remote alarm would give peace of mind.
So, can anybody recommend a reasonable mobile phone system based unit? Just needs to call two phones if the level exceeds a set point. Boat is on a river pontoon, so no prob with power or charging.
Thanks
DW
 
A Raspberry Pi running openplotter should be able to do that, though I haven't tried it with a USB mobile modem.
Or failing that a cheap mobile phone acting as a wifi hotshot would make it possible to email or update twitter. No monitor required, you can use a laptop or tablet to set it up over wifi to monitor float switches. Could also email or tweet when the bilge pump starts and stops.

http://www.sailoog.com/en/openplotter
 
GHA said:
A Raspberry Pi running openplotter should be able to do that, though I haven't tried it with a USB mobile modem.
Or failing that a cheap mobile phone acting as a wifi hotshot would make it possible to email or update twitter. No monitor required, you can use a laptop or tablet to set it up over wifi to monitor float switches. Could also email or tweet when the bilge pump starts and stops.

http://www.sailoog.com/en/openplotter
Click to expand...

Bit techy for me? I was hoping for a simple tracker type device that I could connect to a float switch and put in a PAYG card that has no time limit on the credit.
DW
 
DownWest said:
We need to monitor the bilge level on a wooden boat. It recently sank after both seperate bilge pump systems failed. While there are plans to sort the seepage, some sort of remote alarm would give peace of mind.
So, can anybody recommend a reasonable mobile phone system based unit? Just needs to call two phones if the level exceeds a set point. Boat is on a river pontoon, so no prob with power or charging.
Thanks
DW
Click to expand...

To keep things simple, I'd suggest a speech dialer, as used on domestic intruder alarms. Have a read under GSM Dialers here https://securityalarms.co.uk/auto-diallers/ Very simple to interface, with just n/o contacts to bridge.

I use a Gardtec dialer at home, but it's a land line dialer. If Gardtec do a GSM dialer I'd recommend that.
 
Have a look at the Quark Website http://www.quark-elec.com/products. I have a QK-G022 GSM SMS fitted. Thanks for the reminder, I just used my phone to turn the beer fridge on:-) More seriously, this unit has an alarm input, where you could use a bilge switch to send a GSM SMS message. It is simple to fit, the Quark product anyway, and draws about 40mA to not a huge drain. I am sure a Raspberry Pi wold be more elegant and use less power, but I ran out of time and wanted something fitted this year!
Regards
Angus
 
Buy a PAYG
Tape it to the thwart or cockpit sole.
Phone it every hour, when Vodafone 'cannot connect your call' you need to do something!

There are some quite cheap GSM burglar alarms.
On a river pontoon with mains avaialble, you could get a serious submersible pump for £50 or so.
 
Just search for "12v GSM alarm". pick one that allows extra sensors and connect it to the bilge pump. Or, add an extra float switch just above the existing one and wire that to the alarm.
 
Thanks for all the useful info. It does have a decent mains sump pump at the moment, as a back up, but it is difficult to put it as low as the small 12V pumps. Also we are looking for a long term safety net.
 
HarbourCall.co.uk

We have this system and it does a lot more than monitor your bilge levels I have posted in another topic today regarding break ins!

I'm not the proprietor! I just own one!
 
PaulRainbow said:
Just search for "12v GSM alarm". pick one that allows extra sensors and connect it to the bilge pump. Or, add an extra float switch just above the existing one and wire that to the alarm.
Click to expand...

+1
I did this a few years ago and bought a 12v GSM alarm from ebay for about £50.
It has motion sensor and door alarm, and will text when 240v power fails or any of the bilge pumps start.
It's been a real boon, fantastic product.

All the door & PIR sensors are wireless, but I wired in the bilge alarm from the bilgewatch 8.
 
yotter said:
Have a look at the Quark Website http://www.quark-elec.com/products. I have a QK-G022 GSM SMS fitted. Thanks for the reminder, I just used my phone to turn the beer fridge on:-) More seriously, this unit has an alarm input, where you could use a bilge switch to send a GSM SMS message. It is simple to fit, the Quark product anyway, and draws about 40mA to not a huge drain. I am sure a Raspberry Pi wold be more elegant and use less power, but I ran out of time and wanted something fitted this year!
Click to expand...
a Pi will draw WAY more than 40mA. If you are on mains you'll be fine, but a Pi on 5V draws ~700mA, so at perfect power you'll be drinking 300mA at 12V. In reality probably more like 500mA. Thats before you consume power on GSM etc.

Cheapest solution would be:

GiffGaff SIM
inserted in:
This GPS Car Truck Tracker
connected to 12V battery on red and black.
with orange connected to one of the wires on this This float switch and the other connected to red. Can't swear if you need a load on that circuit or not.

Alarm will effectively send an alarm message thinking that the vehicle ignition has been turned on (or you can use yellow and cut the power if the float switch works other way round). Has a backup battery and can send SMS if power fails too so if you are sinking and batteries fail you can still get SMS and if battery failure is what might cause the sinking you can know...

Unit is IPX6 so not submersible but reasonably decent for use in moist bits of boats.

GiffGaff only require a message every 3 months to retain all your credit.
 
Last edited:
DownWest said:
We need to monitor the bilge level on a wooden boat. It recently sank after both seperate bilge pump systems failed. While there are plans to sort the seepage, some sort of remote alarm would give peace of mind.
So, can anybody recommend a reasonable mobile phone system based unit? Just needs to call two phones if the level exceeds a set point. Boat is on a river pontoon, so no prob with power or charging.
Thanks
DW
Click to expand...

If you're only after a bilge sensor then this may be overkill. But if you want some other goodies then it might fit the bill. It's based on a Raspberry and it's all free software. Can send SMS and/or email and allow you to check on what's happening on the boat via a browser. Runs over mobile broadband or wireless - http://www.skippersmate.co.uk.

Penny
 
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